US Sanctions Iranian and Russian Entities to Disrupt Proliferation Networks

 

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Marking the one-year anniversary of the reimposition of United Nations sanctions and restrictive measures on Iran, the United States Department of State has issued new sanctions targeting key Iranian and Russian entities involved in conventional arms transfers and military procurement.

The sanctions, enacted under Executive Order (E.O.) 13949, support broader efforts under Operation Economic Outcast to deny Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) access to resources used for destabilizing military activities. Concurrently, the Department of the Treasury designated ten entities and individuals connected to weapons procurement for Iran’s Ministry of Defense and Armed Forces Logistics (MODAFL).

Key Takeaways from the U.S. Sanctions Announcement

• Targeted Entities: Sanctions have been imposed on Russia-based aircraft manufacturer Yakovlev, Russia-based shipping firm MG-Flot, and Iran-based Saha Airlines.

• Executive Order 13949: The designations focus on actors contributing to the proliferation of conventional arms and related materiel to or from Iran.

• Treasury Actions: The Department of the Treasury simultaneously targeted ten individuals and entities procuring weapons components for MODAFL.

• Rewards for Justice Program: The U.S. State Department is offering financial rewards for information that disrupts the financial mechanisms of key IRGC Aerospace Force (IRGC-ASF) leaders.

Newly Designated Entities Under E.O. 13949

1. Joint Stock Company Experimental Design Bureau Named After A.S. Yakovlev (Yakovlev)

• Country: Russia

• Role & Activity: Yakovlev develops and produces the Yak-130 advanced trainer fighter jet. Following initial aircraft deliveries to Iran in late 2023, the manufacturer facilitated additional shipments of associated combat aircraft equipment in November and December 2025 from its Irkutsk facility via U.S.-sanctioned Russian aircraft. Russia has completed delivery of nearly all 24 contracted Yak-130 aircraft to Iran.

• Sanctions History: Previously designated under E.O. 14024 on May 19, 2023.

2. MG-Flot Limited Liability Company (MG-Flot)

• Country: Russia

• Role & Activity: Formerly known as TransMorFlot LLC, MG-Flot operates vessels that transport weapons for the Russian government. In 2024, MG-Flot vessels were involved in transferring close-range ballistic missiles (CRBMs) from Iran to Russia. In late 2025, the Russian-flagged roll-on roll-off vessel Kompozitor Rakhmaninov (identified as blocked property of MG-Flot) transported air defense vehicles and related materiel from Iran to Russia.

• Sanctions History: TransMorFlot LLC was previously designated under E.O. 14024 on May 8, 2022, before renaming to MG-Flot on June 27, 2022.

3. Saha Airlines

• Country: Iran

• Role & Activity: Affiliated with the Islamic Republic of Iran Air Force (IRIAF), Saha Airlines has been directly involved in efforts to transport arms and related materiel.

• Sanctions History: Previously designated under E.O. 13902 on September 8, 2026.

Impact of Sanctions and Asset Freezes

Under E.O. 13949, all property and interests in property of the designated individuals and entities located within the United States or in the possession or control of U.S. persons are blocked and must be reported to the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC).

• 50 Percent Rule: Any entities owned 50 percent or more, directly or indirectly, by one or more blocked persons are also automatically blocked.

• Prohibited Transactions: U.S. persons and entities are prohibited from conducting transactions involving blocked property or providing funds, goods, or services to or for the benefit of sanctioned entities.

• Delisting Requests: Petitions for removal from the Specially Designated Nationals and Blocked Persons (SDN) List can be submitted to OFAC.Reconsideration@treasury.gov.

Rewards for Justice Focuses on IRGC-ASF Leadership

The U.S. State Department’s Rewards for Justice program (authorized under 22 U.S.C. § 2708) is seeking information to disrupt the financial mechanisms of the IRGC and the IRGC Aerospace Force (IRGC-ASF). Key targets include:

• IRGC Brigadier General Abdollah Mehrabi: Chief of the IRGC-ASF Research and Self-Sufficiency Jihad Organization (SSJO), responsible for developing weapons systems used against U.S. forces. Mehrabi is co-owner of Oje Parvaz Mado Nafar Company, which produces engines for Shahed-131 and Shahed-136 drones.

• Ahmed Ja’farabadi: Senior IRGC-ASF official involved in operational and logistical management.

• Ali Asghar Norouzi: Chairman of the IRGC Cooperative Foundation, serving a key role in transferring funds and weapons to regional proxy organizations.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Why were Yakovlev, MG-Flot, and Saha Airlines sanctioned?

They were designated under Executive Order 13949 for their involvement in military procurement, arms shipments, and conventional weapons transfers between Iran and Russia.

What is Operation Economic Outcast?

It is a U.S. initiative aimed at disrupting procurement networks for Iran's military programs and denying the IRGC access to financial assets and resources.

Which Russian aircraft and vessels were cited in the weapons transfers?

The report details transfers involving Russian Yak-130 trainer fighter jets from Yakovlev's Irkutsk facility and weapons transport—including close-range ballistic missiles and air defense vehicles—via MG-Flot vessels such as the Kompozitor Rakhmaninov.